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Four unique farmers markets in Marion County offer connoisseurs of garden fresh produce and other homemade and homegrown items.

N.M. Patton, a longtime vendor, resurrected Peabody Farmers Market this year after participation fizzled out last year.

“There just wasn’t anybody that wanted to do it last year,” Patton said. “People had been asking if there was going to be one this year. Maybe it’s a different attitude, but we’ve got 14, maybe 15 vendors signed up so far.”

Peabody Farmers Market will begin its season from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday in front of the Baker buildings on Peabody’s Main St. The market will be open every Monday until Aug. 29.

Patton sells various produce and trees at other farmers markets around the county and said vendors from other towns have signed up to sell in Peabody, as well.

“We kind of help each other out,” Patton said. “We buy and barter from each other, and we promote each other’s events.”

He recently swapped a batch of fresh strawberries for a home-baked strawberry pie at Marion Farm and Art Market.

“Farmers markets are a good way for people who grow things to market what they are doing,” he said. “It’s a healthy choice. You certainly get fresher, more direct produce, and it helps put income back in the community.”

In addition to produce, vendors also will sell cotton candy, baked goods, and real maple syrup from Michigan. Patton is interested in finding more vendors. He can be contacted at (316) 772-8048.

Marion

Marion Farm and Art Market is from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays in Central Park. It will continue into autumn.

Occasionally, items like peaches or watermelons are featured, or there is live music. There has also been a petting zoo in previous years.

More information is available at (620) 382-6994.

Hillsboro

Hillsboro Farmers Market started from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial Day and will continue every Thursday until Labor Day in Memorial Park in Hillsboro.

Selling begins and ends with the ringing of a bell.

The last Thursday of every month is known as a “sell anything night,” in which garage sale items are allowed to be sold. For “Armed Forces Night” on June 30, military branches will set up recruiter tables. More information is available at (620) 947-3506.